Ray Foley, a former Marine with over 30 years of bartending and restaurant experience, is the Founder and Publisher of BARTENDER® Magazine. BARTENDER® Magazine is the only magazine in the world specifically geared towards bartenders and is one of the very few primarily designed for servers of alcohol. BARTENDER® Magazine is enjoying its 29th year and currently has a circulation of OVER 148,000 and is steadily growing.

After serving in the United States Marine Corps and attending Seton Hall University, Ray entered the restaurant business as a Bartender which eventually led to Assistant General Manager of The Manor in West Orange, NJ, with over 350 employees.

In 1983, Ray left The Manor to devote his full efforts to BARTENDER Magazine. The circulation and exposure has grown from 7,000 to over 148,000 to date and has become the largest on-premise liquor magazine in the country.

Ray has been published in numerous articles throughout the country and has appeared on many TV and radio shows.

He is the founder of the “Bartender Hall of Fame™” which honors the best Bartenders throughout the United States not only for their abilities as mixologists but for involvement in their communities as well.

Ray is also the founder of “The Bartenders’ Foundation™” Incorporated. This non-profit foundation has been set up to raise scholarship money for bartenders and their families. Scholarships awarded to bartenders can be used to either further their education or can go toward the education of their children.

Ray is the founder of BARTENDER.COM and usbartender.com, and many other bar-related websites.


Mr. Foley serves as a consultant to some of our nation’s foremost distillers and importers. He is also responsible for naming and creating new drinks for the liquor industry. Here are just a few:
"The Fuzzy Navel"
"The Royal Stretch" – for Grand Royal Oaks Race
"The Royal Turf" – for Grand Royal Oaks Race
"Runaway Bride"
"Pink Cadillac"
"Pamamamabu"
"Pear-A-Terre"
"Grapeful Red"
"Pear A Mud"
"Pearsian Kat"
"Pomtree Cocktail"
"ViAGWA"
"The Royal Sour"
"The Hamptons "Golden Apfel"
"Envy"
"Water Lilly"
"Mosquito Bite"
"The Balance"
"Farmer's Cabinet"

Ray has one of the largest collections of cocktail recipe books in the world, dating back to the 1800s and is one of the foremost collectors of cocktail shakers, having 368 shakers in his collection.

He is the author of the following Best Sellers:
“The Ultimate Cocktail Book”
“The Ultimate Little Shooter Book”
“The Ultimate Little Martini Book”
“The Ultimate Little Blender Book”
“Advice from Anonymous”
“Spirits of Ireland”
“Jokes, Quotes and Bartoons”
"Beer is the Answer…What is the Question?"
“X-Rated Drink Book”
“Bartending for Dummies™”
“How to Run a Bar for Dummies™”
"Bartender® Magazine's Ultimate Bartender's Guide"
“Vodka 1000”

Ray resides in New Jersey with his wife and partner of 25 years, Jackie, and their son, Ryan.